DeSantis Wins Court Battle, Can Block Extra Federal Unemployment Benefits For 500,000 Jobless Floridians

The Tallahassee Democrat reports:

A Tallahassee-based judge on Monday ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis has the authority to block additional federal unemployment benefits to jobless Floridians.

Circuit Judge Layne Smith denied a request for a temporary injunction on DeSantis’ decision in June to have Florida withdraw from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.

FPUC, which runs through Sept. 6, provides an additional $300 in weekly benefits. Florida is among 26 states not to accept the additional federal program money for their unemployed residents. The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business filed a brief supporting DeSantis.

Read the full article. DeSantis blocked about $400 million in federal money from going to around 500,000 Floridians.

A judge Monday ruled that Gov. Ron DeSantis has the authority to block additional federal unemployment benefits to jobless Floridians. https://t.co/ZD1KkW8Pnm

— Florida Today (@Florida_Today) August 30, 2021